11 Mackinac Island FAQs for 2019 vacation planning

Okay, maybe you were just a kid the last time you visited Mackinac Island. Or maybe you’ve never been here before. Or maybe this is the first you’ve ever even heard of Mackinac. (If that’s the case, the last “c” is pronounced “aw,” FYI. We’ll explain later.)

Whatever your relationship to the island, you probably have some questions. It’s good you’ve landed here, because we have answers.

If you can picture Michigan’s Lower Peninsula, it looks like a mitten. Mackinac is right at the tip of the mitten. The island sits in the Straits of Mackinac, just east of the Mackinac Bridge that connects Michigan’s Upper and Lower peninsulas.

Q: How can I get to Mackinac Island?

Not by car! You’d think the Mackinac Bridge connects to Mackinac Island, but it actually runs between the Upper and Lower peninsulas. On the island, automobiles have been banned for more than 100 years. Most visitors travel to Mackinac on ferries that depart from St. Ignace (at the north end of the bridge) or Mackinaw City (at the south end of the bridge). You also can take a private boat to Mackinac or charter a flight into the island’s airport.

Q: Can I fly to Mackinac Island?

The nearest airport served by commercial airlines is the Pellston Regional Airport, about 15 miles south of the Mackinaw City ferry docks. From there you can charter a flight to the island or take a shuttle to the ferry dock. Chippewa County International Airport, about 30 minutes north of the St. Ignace ferry docks, has non-stop service from Minneapolis and Detroit. Major airports within a few hours’ drive of the island include the Cherry Capitol Airport (TVC) in Traverse City, the Gerald R. Ford International Airport (GRR) in Grand Rapids, the Capital Region International Airport (LAN) in Lansing and the Detroit Metro Airport (DTW) in Detroit.

Q: When does the island open?

Mackinac is always open! The peak season for visitors runs from late April through the end of October, when ferry companies offer daily service with several trips back and forth. But you can visit the island any time of year. Ferry service continues on a limited basis from November through April – unless the winter is cold enough for the Straits to freeze over.

It’s the best in the world, and here’s why. So many people come to Mackinac to sample the variety of flavors that visitors are commonly called “fudgies.” Fudge has been a Mackinac attraction for over 100 years, with the captivating fudge-making process on display in storefronts for all to see.

The island encompasses about 3.8 square-miles. The road that runs around the edge of the island, M-185, is just over 8 miles and takes about an hour or so to travel on bike at a leisurely pace. It’s the only state highway in the country that prohibits automobiles.

Q: Why is the last “c” pronounced “aw” in Mackinac?

Native Americans used a word meaning “great turtle” to name the area around Mackinac Island, which looks perhaps a bit like a turtle shell rising out of the water. When the French built a fort along the Straits they adopted the Native American word, spelling it “Michilimackinac” and pronouncing it with an “aw” at the end. Over the years, Michilimackinac was shortened to Mackinac, but the pronunciation has remained “Mackinaw.” Mackinaw City, at the foot of the Mackinac Bridge, is spelled with a “w” because the British who controlled the area in the late 18th and early 19th centuries decided to spell the name of the city like it sounds.

Q: Where can I stay on Mackinac?

There are more than 1,500 unique lodging rooms on the island. Find a hotel, resort, bed-and-breakfast, condo or cottage that suits your needs here.

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What is it about an island and vacations? It’s a natural fit on Mackinac Island. You have an Island where the automobile never replaced the horse and carriage. You have lodging properties where corporations never replaced family ownership. You have a Revolutionary era Fort where the British couldn’t permanently replace Americans. You have Fudge Stores where box recipes never replaced our 19th Century recipes. You have a place to leave your routine, discover the rhythm of waves and horse-clops and a place that getting to is half the fun.

Disclaimer: Blue Water Healthy Living is an online magazine located in Port Huron, Michigan. Our purpose is to promote healthy living by showcasing the Blue Water Area, its people, issues and surroundings. This online magazine is devoted to providing healthy living related stories, local happenings, and commentary. Often inspiring and uplifting, our stories come from our heart and soul to promote the enjoyment of a more fulfilling Blue Water Area lifestyle. The material on this web site is provided for informational and amusement purposes only and is not to be confused with any medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The views and opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the opinions and values of Blue Water Healthy Living.

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Blue Water Healthy Living is an online magazine located in Port Huron, Michigan. Our purpose is to promote healthy living by promoting the values of Family, Faith, and Freedom as well as showcasing the Blue Water Area, its people, issues and surroundings. This online magazine is devoted to providing healthy living related stories, local happenings, and commentary. Often inspiring and uplifting, our stories come from our heart and soul to promote the enjoyment of a more fulfilling Blue Water Area lifestyle. The material on this web site is provided for informational and amusement purposes only and is not to be confused with any medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.

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